Nader Statement on Ron Paul

"Ron Paul was a lightning rod for millions of Americans against the war in Iraq and for the protection of personal liberties that the two major parties have turned their back on--by continuing to support the illegal criminal war and the PATRIOT Act.

Now that Dr Paul has formally withdrawn his candidacy for the G.O.P. nomination and is no longer seeking the Presidency, there is a clear choice for those who want to support a candidate who will stand up against the war and stand up for personal liberties and privacy that have been trampled by the notorious, misnamed, PATRIOT Act.

The people want the next President to immediately withdraw our soldiers and corporate mercenaries from Iraq in the safest manner possible.

I would veto any attempt to extend the so-called PATRIOT Act or anything else that came across my desk that was designed to circumvent the civil liberties of the American People. The PATRIOT Act grants excessive power to the government to abuse civil liberties through wiretaps, monitoring internet usage, authorized 'sneak and peek' of our homes, and forces libraries to turn over records of the books read by their patrons--and those abuses of power have been used repeatedly by Bush and his Justice Department. We need more politicians, like Dr Paul, who are not afraid to stand up for our civil liberties."

-30-

Backgrounder

PATRIOT Act Facts

Senator ObamaPromised to repeal Patriot Act, then voted for it. While expressing reservations, Senator Obama ultimately voted to re-authorize the PATRIOT Act in 2006. Senator Feingold, who also expressed reservations, didn't compromise his principles and voted against the re-authorization of the PATRIOT Act.http://obama.senate.gov/speech/060216-floor_statement_2/

Ralph NaderProven consistent history standing up for the Constitution; would veto any attempts to extend the PATRIOT Act or other legislation designed to circumvent civil liberties.

War FactsSenator Obama

Obama's Iraq redeployment plan would leave 175,000 to 220,000 troops and mercenaries in Iraq, threatens to expand the war to other nations by putting combat forces in Kuwait and keeping the bombing of Iran on the table.Obama will leave all leave all 140,000 U.S. mercenaries in Iraq.Obama will leave between 35,000 to 80,000 troops in Iraq to protect U.S. interests, fight al Qaeda and train the Iraqi military.Obama will move combat troops to Kuwait to serve as a strike force to attack inside Iraq.

Obama has pledged to the right-wing Israeli lobby that he will always keep the military option.

Ralph NaderA complete, rapid, withdrawal of all U.S. military, mercenaries and corporate interests from Iraq.Cutting the wasteful and bloated U.S. military budget which makes up 50% of U.S. discretionary spending.Reversing U.S. Middle East policy, including a re-evaluation of the Palestinian-Israeli dispute.Increased spending on diplomacy and the reducing the underlying causes of terrorism.